Céleste, The Lanesborough Hotel
It has been the first time me and my husband went to the same restaurant twice in three days, but after the first time we had to go back to try more dishes! Perfect romantic atmosphere and incredible service. Every dish is a journey to a fantastic imaginative country somewhere between France and England, where truffle and Jerusalem artichokes get married, witnessed by a juicy and perfectly cooked lamb, and parsnip and vanilla get along together unexpectedly well.
Not to be missed the cauliflower soup and the onion soup, both reinvented in a majestic way by the chef Florian Favario.
The Lanesborough, Hyde Park Corner,
London
SW1X 7TA
Quattro Passi
In the heart of Mayfair this place offers very good and authentic Italian food served by polite and friendly Italian staff.
To welcome you you’ll find a very good selection of Italian breads, to be enjoyed while taking the hard decision regarding what to chose from the menu. Absolutely not to be missed the “Linguine alla Nerano”- pasta dressed with a creamy courgette and Parmesan sauce, and the fish on a courgette and mint purè. Desserts are all remarkably good as well, but my absolute favourites are the chocolate and caramel mousse with passion fruit sorbet and the pistachio ice-cream.
34 Dover Street
Mayfair
London
W1S 4NG
Dabbous
What a superb discovery! I came to know this restaurant as my husband organised for me a one-day cooking experience there and the first impression has been of a very small but tidy kitchen filled with very talented and young professionals! The Michelin starred Chef Ollie Dabbous majestically mixes flavours from France, Morocco and England creating perfect, delicious and innovative dishes.
We had a deliciously seven course tasting menu and really remarkable where the duck egg mayonnaise on toast with spring truffle and white asparagus, the cod fillet with chestnut puree, and the barbecued lamb with mint marinade and yogurt and goat cheese sauce.
Don’t expect a five star service or a romantic atmosphere, as the restaurant looks like a dark chic warehouse- everything is about the food here, but… What food!
39 Whitfield Street
London
W1T 2SF
Taverna Rossini
I’ve always avoided places where they serve almost every type of food (meat, fish, pasta, pizza), and this is probably the only place I’ve ever been where it is possible to have mostly everything and each dish you can order is absolutely delicious.
Remarkable, thin and light pizza is an absolute “must try”, and please, please, leave some space at the end of your meal for the dessert. Remember to order the delicious and healthy “fruttini di Lancusi”- fruity gelato enclosed in real frozen fruit cases… These are really to die for!
Viale Gioacchino Rossini, 54
Rome
Italy
Palm d’Or
What an emotional place this is for me!
This is where my lovely husband took me as soon as we got engaged, so the first time I went there my stomach was so closed that I couldn’t appreciate the incredible food they serve.
After such an important occasion, we managed to come back to this restaurant once a year, and I must admit that I have never been disappointed by the glorious food they serve! The service, led by the incredibly nice and professional manager Gregory Zarzycki, is quick and impeccable and completes the whole experience making you feel like a queen.
This time (last May) we decided to treat ourselves with the six course tasting menu and we couldn’t have chosen better! The Michelin starred Chef Gregory Pugin has guided us through extraordinary innovative French flavours including clever and unexpected combinations like foie gras and strawberries, and hibiscus poached rhubarb and Heirloom tomato sorbet.
Absolutely remarkable the “degustation d’agneau”, a lamb tasting completed by a deliciously flavourful almond and sultana couscous and the pre-dessert- a delicious lychee and passion fruit foam.
A truly remarkable restaurant!
